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Study Warns Rapid Primary Forest Loss Undermines Climate Goals
(MENAFN) Destruction of primary forests is significantly reducing global carbon storage and could undermine efforts to address climate change, according to environmental experts cited in reports.
A recent analysis by the World Resources Institute found that tropical primary forest loss declined by 36% in 2025 compared with the previous year. However, despite this reduction, around 4.3 million hectares of intact tropical forests were still lost, marking a substantial increase compared to levels recorded a decade ago.
The analysis highlights continued deforestation across several major forest regions. According to reports, countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, and others including Peru, Cameroon, Madagascar, Colombia, Laos, and Malaysia all recorded measurable losses of primary forest cover.
Brazil accounted for the largest absolute loss, followed by Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, according to the data cited in the analysis. Significant reductions were also reported in several other tropical forest nations, reflecting widespread pressure on primary forest ecosystems.
Experts define primary forests as ecosystems that have either never been significantly disturbed by human activity or have regenerated over long periods without visible human impact, preserving natural ecological processes and biodiversity.
According to reports, forestry specialist Doganay Tolunay of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa explained that these forests are often referred to as old-growth or virgin forests and represent some of the most ecologically valuable landscapes on Earth.
He noted that, based on Food and Agriculture Organization estimates, primary forests cover approximately 1.18 billion hectares globally, representing nearly one-third of the world’s total forest area.
Researchers warn that continued loss of these ecosystems could severely weaken global carbon sinks and complicate international efforts to limit climate change, given their critical role in regulating atmospheric carbon and sustaining biodiversity.
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